Rotatable Fan Array Rotated Based on Computer Process Execution for Personal Computer

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a computer with at least one fan which may change orientation based on anticipated or actual heat of a device within the computer. The fan, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, may point towards a central processing unit, a graphics card, or any other device generating heat, and, based on various thresholds, the fan may change direction to remove hot air from a more urgently needed device or section of the interior of a computer.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to cooling in computersystems, and more particularly, to air flow of such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Overheating is a well-known problem in the art of electronics.Peripherals, microchips, and data storage devices, as well as almost allmechanical, electrical, or biological items, have optimal, preferable,and required temperature ranges in which they function. As the ambienttemperature changes, which is usually a rise in heat when such objectsare in operation, efficiency decreases, or even the ability to operateat all.

In electronic cabinets, such as computer cases, the use of fans, liquidcooling, designs taking advantage of convection currents, and/or heatsinks to move heat away from hot spots and out of the case, is known inthe art. So, for example, in a typical personal computer, a fan, heatsink, or both is/are placed over the central processing unit (CPU)because this device is a major source of heat. Similarly, fans aretypically placed in power supplies and vent towards the outside of acase for the same reason.

However, heat generation and dissipation are still problems in modernday computers. Needed are more efficient mechanisms for eitherdecreasing the heat generated, or more efficiently removing the heatfrom devices generating same, and/or the computer case itself.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

An object of the disclosed technology is to direct a fan towards an areaof greatest need within an electronic cabinet, such as a computer case.

Another object is to keep a computer running at maximal performance.

In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a computer case has agraphics processing device (such as a video card, graphics processingunit (GPU), and other devices known in the art for processinginstructions and providing video output) and a CPU (central processingunit). A fan rotatable between a first and second orientation, the firstorientation causing the fan to point towards the graphics processingdevice, and the second orientation causing the fan to point towards theCPU, is claimed. In embodiments, a choice is made between the twoorientations based on usage of the GPU or the CPU, such as above apredefined threshold of utilization over a period of time or at a singlemeasured moment of time. In other embodiments, the choice is made basedon the temperature of the graphics processing device or the centralprocessing unit above a predefined threshold.

In embodiments of the disclosed technology, there are at least two fans.One fan blows air towards the graphics processing device or centralprocessing unit, while another sucks air away from the device or unit.Both fans are rotatable. In another embodiment, there are three fans.One fan directs air towards the top of the graphics processing device,one fan directs air towards the bottom of the graphics processingdevice, and one fan sucks air from the graphics processing device.

In a method of directing air flow in a computer case based on heatgeneration, an embodiment of the disclosed technology proceeds asfollows. First, it is determined when a heat-related attribute of afirst device within the computer rises above a pre-defined startingthreshold. Then, at least one fan is rotated towards the first devicesuch that airflow is directed more towards the first device thanpreviously. If a heat-related attribute of a second device within thecomputer rises above a pre-defined starting threshold, then the fan maybe rotated towards the second device, if the heat-related attribute ofthe new/second device takes priority over the attribute of the firstdevice. Finally, at least one fan is returned to its original positionupon all heat-related attributes being below a finishing threshold.

The finishing threshold(s) may be lower than, or the same as, thepre-defined starting threshold(s). That is, where the heat-relatedattribute is temperature, the starting threshold may be a firsttemperature, whereas the finishing threshold, where the fan moves toanother orientation (e.g., starting, resting, or towards another device)is at a lower second temperature only.

In some embodiments, the CPU heat-related attributes always takeprecedence over heat-related attributes of other devices. In others, thefan is rotated towards the second device only after the heat-relatedattribute of the first device falls below the finishing threshold ofsaid first device. Two fans may be used, and at least one fan sucks airaway from the pointed-to device.

A heat-related attribute is usage of a said device known to generateabove-average amounts of heat, such as usage of a three-dimensionalgraphics rendering engine, a floating point unit, a graphics processingunit, or other device which otherwise sits idle at times. “Usage” may bedefined as any usage at all, usage over a certain period of time, and/orusage above a pre-defined minimum utilization of a processor. Anotherheat-related attribute is the temperature of a device.

A system for changing the direction of airflow within an electroniccabinet is also disclosed. The system has a directional fan mounted inthe electronic cabinet, means for detecting usage of a heat-generatingdevice within the electronic cabinet, means for rotating the directionalfan towards the heat-generating device, and means for prioritizingdirection of the fan based on anticipated and actual heat generated. Themeans for determining actual heat generated and/or usage of aheat-generating device may be a thermometer. Means for determininganticipated heat generated may include engagement of usage of aprocessor (starting to use such a processor or sub-processor or usageabove a pre-defined threshold of utilization for a pre-defined period oftime) on a heat-generating device, such as a processor on a video cardor motherboard. A plurality of directional fans may be rotated, each ina different direction, upon detection of usage of a heat generatingdevice.

Further details are set forth in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of an open computer case comprising aplurality of fans placed at a multiple of 90 degrees to each other in anembodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans directing air flow downwards.

FIG. 3 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans directing air flow upwards.

FIG. 4 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans pointed towards a peripheral card.

FIG. 5 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans pointed towards a central processing unit (CPU).

FIG. 6 shows a reverse perspective view of the computer case of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a reverse perspective view of the computer case of FIG. 1with a single fan orienting airflow upwards.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of steps taken in determining how to rotatefans used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9 shows a preference order for directing air flow in embodiments ofthe disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 shows a high-level block diagram of a device that may be used tocarry out the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise an electronic cabinetor personal computer case (herein defined as a subset of the category ofelectronic cabinets designed for a personal computer, housing a CPU, oneor more disk drives, volatile memory, power supply, and motherboard, orequivalents thereof) with at least one rotatable fan. As it is obviousin the art that fan blades spin about a central axis, here, the term“rotatable fan,” as used in this disclosure, refers to a secondarymeaning of “rotate.” Here, “rotatable fan” is defined as the ability tochange the orientation of the direction of airflow created by thespinning fan blades, generally by altering the orientation of a fanassembly, including a spindle to which the fan blades are attached.Further, for purposes of the disclosure, “fan” is defined as anydirectionally orientable device with the ability to directly affect airflow.

In this manner, the rotatable fan is positioned, in embodiments of thedisclosed technology, to cause the greatest velocity of air currents ina desired direction, or in combination with a plurality of fans, tocontrol the direction of airflow throughout the cabinet or case. Thefans may act synchronously (move together) or asynchronously (face indirections such that airflow from each fan opposes every other). Thus,the fans may, for example, be pointed upwards or downwards to cause airto flow in the respective direction. Or, in an asynchronous manner, onefan may direct air downwards and another upwards, such as at 45 degreeangles, so that the airflow is generally horizontal at a mid-regionbetween two fans.

Still further, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, the method ofdetermining when a fan points in a certain direction is based on datafrom thermometers or other temperature measuring devices placed atvarious locations within the case. Thermometers may also be integratedinto peripherals, such as video cards, hard disks, and CPUs ormotherboards.

Still further, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, the method ofdetermining when a fan points in a certain direction is softwarecontrolled and/or based on interrupt signals or data being transferredvia the bus system of the computer. That is, if for example, aspreadsheet calculation is underway and the process is CPU-use heavy,the fans point towards the CPU. On the other hand, if a video game isbeing played which requires complex rendering, based on such anapplication being run and/or a measured number of interrupts above apre-defined threshold and/or while interrupts or CPU usage (or othersuch indicators) are below a certain threshold, the fans point towardsthe graphics card to dissipate heat from this peripheral.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view ofthe following description of the Figures.

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of an open computer case comprising aplurality of fans at a multiple of 90 degrees to each other in anembodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 7 shows a reverseperspective view of the computer case of FIG. 1, with a single fanorienting airflow upwards. Any computer case or electronic cabinet knownin the art may be retrofitted or designed to carry out embodiments ofthe disclosed technology, and the technology is not limited to theexemplary case shown in the figures. Computer case 100 comprises abottom panel 102, front panel 104, top panel 106, and back panel 108.Two side panels, for a total of six sides, are found on most cases, suchas those used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. Typicalcomputers also include such items as one or more CPUs (under fan 152),slots for volatile memory/random access memory 124, drive bays 122 forhousing CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), DVD (digital versatiledisk), and other disk drives. Various microchips are on the motherboard, though they have not been labeled for clarity of the drawings,the motherboard being a generally flat rectangular board, in this figureextending vertically behind the fans and other identified items withinthe computer case 100. Motherboards are, of course, generally known inthe art. In the particular case shown in FIG. 1, a divider 120 separatesa top inner portion from a lower inner portion where a power supply ishoused.

In embodiments of the disclosed technology, any number of rotatable fansmay be utilized. For example, in FIG. 1, a CPU fan 152 is placed overthe CPU, a rear exhaust fan 150 pushing air out of the rear panel 108 ofthe case 100, fan on the peripheral 110, and two standing fans 154. Fans150, 154, and 156 are rotatable in this embodiment and are shown in FIG.1 with the long axes thereof pointing horizontally to (perpendicular to)the invisible flat surface on which the computer case 100 rests. In thisconfiguration, fans 154 and 156 blow air normal to the back panel 108 ofthe case, and fan 150 blows air through the back panel 108 at a rightangle to the panel (directly through).

FIG. 2 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans directing air flow downwards. In this figure, fans 154and 156 primarily direct air past the peripheral 110 (as describedabove, an add-on card such as a video card) to remove hot air therefrom. Fan 150 conversely pulls air away from the peripheral 110 andpushes it in a slightly upward direction out of the back panel 108 ofthe case 100. In this manner, when the peripheral 110, such as agraphics card, is generating the most, or a higher than resting or lightusage, amount of heat, the heat is removed most efficiently from thisdevice, so that it may continue to operate at a high rate of processing,or higher than otherwise obtainable for a longer period of time, as heatis removed from this area of the inside of the case more readily thanother areas during this time.

FIG. 3 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans directing air flow upwards. FIG. 6 shows a reverseperspective view of the computer case of FIG. 3. Fans 154 and 156 directairflow upwards towards the CPU (situated behind fan 152) in thisembodiment. Conversely, fan 150 sucks air from the CPU and pulls itdownwards, out of the back panel 108 of the case 100. In this manner,when CPU usage is most intense/the CPU is creating a much greater thanaverage amount of heat, such heat may be efficiently removed. Thegreatest airflow is near the top of the case 106, allowing cooler airnear the divider 120 and bottom of the case 102 to remain more stagnant.

FIG. 4 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans pointed towards a peripheral card. In thisconfiguration, such as when the peripheral card 110 is a graphics cardand a graphic-intensive process, such as 3D rendering, full screenvideo, or the like, then fans 154 and 156 point towards the peripheralcard which generates heat while conducting such processor-intensiveoperations. In areas outside of the direct path of the airflow of thefans 154, 156, and 150, the air flow is more stagnant. Since such airoutside of the areas of airflow is generally cooler, this allows thecooler air to remain in the case 100, while moving the hottest air outof the case.

FIG. 5 shows the computer case of FIG. 1 with rotatable fans of theplurality of fans pointed towards a central processing unit (CPU). Inthis configuration, the central processing unit under fan 152 generatesthe most heat because it conducts the largest number of computationaloperations. As such, fan 156 points upwards towards the CPU, 154 pointsdirectly across, and fan 150 is aligned with 156 to create a strongcross current between fans 156 and 150 to pull hot air blown into thecurrent by fan 152 out the rear 108 of the case 100. Fan 154 also aidsin pushing the hot air towards and then out through the rear fan 150.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of steps taken in determining how to rotatefans used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. In step 810, thefans are positioned at a starting orientation, such as shown in FIG. 1.For power conservation or noise reduction, one, a plurality of, or allof the fans may be turned off or have a reduced speed when not needed,such as when the temperature or usage of the computer hardware is at aminimum. For example, referring to FIG. 1, in a starting orientation ofstep 810, fans 154 and 156 may be powered down. In the steps numbered inthe 820s referring to determination of either usage of a hardware deviceor temperature being above a threshold, or some combination thereof, itis determined which area of the computer has the most heat or is likelyto generate the most heat.

More specifically, 820 refers to steps taken concerning determinationsmade with regard to a graphics card (e.g., an add-on card 110 of FIG.1). If GPU (graphics processing unit) usage is above a predefinedthreshold, if a three-dimensional graphics rendering is engaged, or thetemperature of the graphics card (as measured by a thermometer touchinga part thereof and/or integrated with the graphics card and/or reportedby the graphics card to software capable of interpreting and processingsuch information), then in step 830, the fans, such as fans 150, 154,and 156, are rotated towards the graphics card. This is shown in FIG. 2.

Alternatively, 822 refers to steps taken concerning determinations madewith regard to a CPU. If the CPU usage is above a threshold, the CPUspeed is maximized, or the CPU temperature is above a threshold, asdetermined in step 822, then step 832 is carried, out whereby fans arerotated towards the CPU. This may include any one of a plurality of fans150, 152, and 156 as shown in FIG. 3, by way of example.

Other determinations may be made which affect the direction of the fan,such as shown in box 824. These include, but are not limited to, harddisk temperature, power supply temperature, and/or an alternatethermostat, such as one placed at some point within the case. Referringto FIG. 1, such an alternate thermostat might be placed anywhere alongthe top side 106, bottom side 102, front panel 104, back panel 108, on adivider 120, or on/at a fan 150, 152, 154, or 156. Based on such afactor as shown in box 824 or described herein, in step 834, fans arerotated towards the problem area with an above-average temperature,above-average usage, specific usage known to cause above-average heat,or a combination thereof, when compared to an idle computer.

In step 840, it is determined whether the trigger for the fan rotationis complete. If it is, such as when the 3D graphics rendering engine isno longer engaged, the temperature of the pointed-to item drops belowthe threshold (or another designed threshold), or the like, then thefans are returned to their starting orientation. Different thresholdsmay be determined to cause one, or more than one, fan, to point towardsa device within the computer, effect fan speed, and so forth. This willbe explained further with reference to FIG. 9. If the trigger has notyet completed its task, that is, for example, the temperature of thepointed-to item is still above a threshold (the original startingthreshold, or in embodiments of the disclosed technology, a lowertemperature or lower usage ending threshold), then step 850 is carriedout. That is, the fan orientation remains where it is, at the rotatedposition. Then, in step 850, it is determined whether there is a newtrigger, such as any of those shown or described with respect to 820,822, or 824. If there is no new trigger, then the method loops back tostep 840. Until either the trigger(s) is/are no longer applicable orthere is another trigger, steps 840 and 850 continuously loop.

Once a new trigger is detected in step 850, then, in step 860, it isdetermined whether this new trigger would cause the same action as thecurrent trigger. If it would, then the method returns to step 840,whereby steps 840 and 850 are looped. Until both triggers are complete,the fans will not return to their starting orientation. For example, ifCPU usage is at 99% for 15 seconds, in an embodiment of the disclosedtechnology, this would trigger a CPU usage threshold causing the fans,such as fans 150, 154, and 156 to point towards the CPU. The CPUtemperature then may rise above 80° C., another trigger. Since bothtriggers would have the same result (fans pointing towards the CPU toblow or suck air thereto/therefrom), no change in the fan direction ismade. However, the CPU usage may then drop to 10% for 15 seconds, endingthe first trigger, while the temperature still remains above a CPUtemperature threshold. Therefore, in this example, the second triggerstill remains in force. Since not all the triggers for the rotation arecomplete in step 840, then the fans remain in their rotated state. Onceboth triggers, in this case CPU triggers, are complete or no longervalid/in force, then step 810 is carried out and the fans return totheir starting orientation in step 810. In an embodiment of thedisclosed technology, the fans have a new starting orientation based onthe last trigger and simply turn off, reduce speed, or remain as isuntil a new event causes a trigger. It should also be understood thatthe method described is applicable for any number of triggers causingthe same result.

However, referring to step 860 of FIG. 8, if there is a currentlysalient/active trigger, and a new trigger arises which is contradictoryto the first, then the situation becomes more complicated. That is, afirst active trigger may be related to the heat of the CPU, whereas anew trigger may indicate that heat of the GPU is now a concern. So, instep 870, it is determined, based on the preferences described withreference to FIG. 9 below, whether or not to obey the first trigger orthe second. It should be understood that this must be determined for anynumber of active triggers. In any case, if the new trigger (or a newcombination of triggers) has priority over the triggers causing the fansto be pointed in a certain direction, then step 880 is carried out,whereby the fans are rotated according to the new trigger (or newcombination of triggers which cause the higher priority). Otherwise, themethod simply returns to the steps 840 to 850 loop while waiting for thetriggers to complete/new triggers are detected. If the priority trigger(or combination of triggers) completes, but a lesser priority triggerremains in effect, then step 880 is carried out, and the fans arerotated in accordance with the new trigger. (In this sense, “new” refersto newly or freshly pointing the fans as a result of a trigger, whetherthe trigger was first in time or not.)

In an example of the above, where step 882 is carried out, it mightoccur in the following scenario. The fan is at a starting orientation810, a CPU trigger 822 causes a fan or fans to point towards the CPU,and then a GPU trigger 820 is found in step 850. This new trigger causesa different action, but the CPU trigger, in this example, haspreference/priority over the GPU trigger, and so, after such adetermination is made in step 870, the 840/850 loop is repeated.However, in step 840, the CPU trigger 822 eventually expires (e.g., theCPU temperature drops below a threshold), but the GPU trigger 820remains. Thus, when step 882 is carried out, the fan is rotatedaccording to the new trigger 820. In another example, supposing the GPUtrigger 820 was first, the CPU trigger was second and takes prioritycausing, in step 880, the fans to rotate towards the CPU. If the CPUtrigger expires (e.g., the CPU temperature drops below a threshold) thenthis trigger completes, but the GPU trigger continues and the fans arerotated as if the GPU trigger were a new trigger. That is, the fansrotate towards the GPU. Once the GPU trigger no longer exists, then step810 is carried, out whereby the fans return to a starting orientation,or a new starting orientation is defined based on the orientation at theexpiration of each trigger.

FIG. 9 shows a preference order for directing air flow in embodiments ofthe disclosed technology. The trigger 902 is the activity which occurs,or is measured, within a computer case that is used, in embodiments ofthe disclosed technology, to point fans, such as fans 150, 154, and/or156, towards a particular area within the computer. The triggers 910through 990 are the same as those listed in FIG. 8, for simplicity. Thepoint 904 refers to the direction or orientation of one or a pluralityof fans, as a result of the triggers 910 through 990 which are breached.The priority 906 refers to a priority level of the particular triggerwith, in this example, a higher priority number being of greaterpriority. Thus, if the first trigger is the power supply temperatureabove a threshold 990, then the fan points down. If this trigger isstill applicable while a new trigger, hard disk temperature above athreshold 970, occurs, then, since trigger 970 has a higher priority,the fan or fans now point up. While both of these triggers remainactive, the CPU speed may become maximized 950 (e.g., above 90% for atleast 5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds), causing a fan or fans to point at theCPU. If the graphics card temperature is then above a threshold 910, ithas a higher priority (in this case, “8”) and the fan or fans pointaccordingly. If the CPU temperature then increases above a threshold960, the combined weight of the thresholds 950 and 960, in embodimentsof the disclosed technology show that it is more important to point thefans towards the CPU rather than the GPU, as the priority numbers add upto a greater number or the number of thresholds breached is higher, etc.If there is a tie, then depending on the embodiment of the disclosedtechnology, the fan or fans will remain in their current orientationuntil the tie is broken (a trigger drops off or a new one is detected),or priority might always be given to a certain direction to point to,such as towards the CPU in a computer with greater heat problems fromthe CPU. Priority may instead be given based on an absolute temperatureor number of degrees above the threshold. That is, in the formerexample, the hottest location in the computer case is where the greatestairflow and, thereby, direction of the fans, is needed. In the latterexample, the CPU threshold may have been breached by 20 degrees, whereasthe GPU temperature by 30 degrees, even though the actual temperature ofthe GPU is lower than the CPU. In such a case, priority, in thisembodiment, is given to the GPU and the fans directed thereto.

Thresholds/usage may be determined with the aid of software. That is,program instructions carried out through the use of a processor.Interrupt signals between an operating system and CPU or graphics cardmay be used to determine when a fan should face towards one these items.Similarly, the engagement of usage of a part of one these devices (e.g.floating point unit or a specific microchip or operation used only inhigh intensity applications) may determine when a fan should be pointeda specific direction. Software monitoring of temperature controlsprovided through the computer's BIOS (basic input output system) orother monitoring software may also be utilized, and determinations ofwhen certain applications are executed (e.g. execution of a game thatuses 3D rendering or execution of a spreadsheet program) may be used todetermine when a threshold or usage level has or will be obtained. Thefans then point accordingly. Still further, one fan may point towardsone device, and another fan towards another device if two thresholds arereached, or a first threshold has been reached, without yet reaching anupper threshold. For example, at 140 degrees, one fan may changeorientation and point to a CPU, while another is directed towards theGPU. At 180 degrees, every fan may point to the CPU, regardless of otherthresholds. Time between changing orientations of a fan due to a newlydirected threshold may be limited to the new threshold being met for atleast a period of time, such as 5, 15 or 30 seconds and the delay mayonly be implemented if another trigger has already been breached. Anycombination of the above embodiments is also within the scope and spiritof the claimed language.

FIG. 10 shows a high-level block diagram of a device that may be used tocarry out the disclosed technology. Device 1000 comprises a processor1050 that controls the overall operation of the computer by executingthe device's program instructions which define such operation. Thedevice's program instructions may be stored in a storage device 1020(e.g., magnetic disk, database) and loaded into memory 1030 whenexecution of the console's program instructions is desired. Thus, thedevice's operation will be defined by the device's program instructionsstored in memory 1030 and/or storage 1020, and the console will becontrolled by processor 1050 executing the console's programinstructions. A device 1000 also includes one or a plurality of inputnetwork interfaces for communicating with other devices via a network(e.g., the internet). The device 1000 further includes an electricalinput interface for receiving power and data from a power or RFIDsource. A device 1000 also includes one or more output networkinterfaces 1010 for communicating with other devices. Device 1000 alsoincludes input/output 1040, representing devices which allow for userinteraction with a computer (e.g., display, keyboard, mouse, speakers,buttons, etc.). One skilled in the art will recognize that animplementation of an actual device will contain other components aswell, and that FIG. 10 is a high level representation of some of thecomponents of such a device for illustrative purposes. It should also beunderstood by one skilled in the art that the method and devicesdepicted in FIGS. 1 through 9 may be implemented on a device such as isshown in FIG. 10.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific referenceto the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and rangeof equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices describedhereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosedtechnology.

1. A computer case comprising: a graphics processing device and acentral processing unit; a fan rotatable between a first and secondorientation, said first orientation causing said fan to point towardssaid graphics processing device, and said second orientation causingsaid fan to point towards said central processing unit, said pointingcarried out by way of changing a vertical direction of said fan betweenpointing towards a top panel and a bottom panel of said computer case.2. The computer case of claim 1, wherein a choice is made between saidfirst and said second orientation based on usage of said graphicsprocessing device or said central processing unit above a predefinedthreshold.
 3. The computer case of claim 1, wherein a choice is madebetween said first and said second orientation based on temperature ofsaid graphics processing device or said central processing unit above apredefined threshold.
 4. The computer case of claim 1, wherein said fanis at least two fans, and at least one blows air towards said graphicsprocessing device or central processing unit, and at least one fan sucksair away from said graphics processing device or said central processingunit.
 5. The computer case of claim 4, wherein said at least two fansare at least three fans, one fan directs air towards said top of saidgraphics processing device, one fan directs air towards said bottom ofsaid graphics processing device, and one fan sucks air from saidgraphics processing device. 6-15. (canceled)
 16. A system for changingthe direction of airflow within a electronic cabinet, comprising: adirectional fan mounted in said electronic cabinet; means for detectingusage of a heat-generating device within said electronic cabinet; meansfor rotating said directional fan towards said heat-generating device;means for prioritizing direction of said fan based on anticipated andactual heat generated wherein said directional fan is rotated upwardsand downwards relative to a top panel and a bottom panel of saidelectronic enclosure.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The system of claim 16, whereinsaid means for determining anticipated generated heat compriseengagement of usage of a processor on a said heat-generating device. 19.The system of claim 18, wherein said engagement of usage is engagementof usage above a pre-defined threshold of utilization for a pre-definedperiod of time.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein a plurality ofdirectional fans is rotated in different directions upon said detectionof usage of a heat generating device.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein said plurality of directional fans have an axis of rotation ofup to ±45° from a top panel to a bottom panel of said electronicenclosure.